Leak Alert Best Practices

The iOS and Android EyeOnWater apps help take the guesswork out of setting alert thresholds by letting you pick Sensitive, Normal, Large Only, and Advanced settings.

For EyeOnWater web portal users (those who log into EyeOnWater using a web browser)  we recommend setting the expected flow to intermittent with a threshold of 1 gallon per hour. This will help you spot the most common sources of household leaks including dripping faucets, leaky toilets, and broken sprinkler pipes.

One Meter, Multi-Family Dwellings
If you live in a place where a single water meter measures flow for multiple dwellings—for example, at a mobile home park or in an apartment complex—the person who manages access to your meter can set a leak alert to help identify continuous water use that might indicate a potential leak. 

In such locations, overall flow will always be higher and more variable than at a single home. Use the guidelines below to choose a threshold that best fits your situation. 

Before You Begin
Make sure your meter is showing normal readings for a few days. Note how much water is typically used overnight when activity is low. Use this value as a baseline to help you decide where to set your alert threshold. 

Recommended Settings 

Setting  Recommended Value  Why 
Flow Type  Intermittent Flow  Works best for properties with normal daily water use. 
Mobile Home Park Threshold  15–25 gallons per hour Suitable for 10–20 homes. Use the lower end for smaller parks. 
Apartment Complex Threshold  20–40 gallons per hour   Larger buildings often have higher steady background use. 

 

How to Choose the Right Threshold 

  1. Review your recent water use in EyeOnWater. 
  2. Look for the lowest overnight flow when overall water use is minimal. Remember that a small amount of flow is normal from things like toilet refills and ice makers.
  3. Set your leak alert threshold slightly above that normal level.
    Example: If overnight flow is around 10 gallons per hour, set the threshold near 15–20 gallons per hour. 
  4. If you get frequent false alerts, use a slightly higher threshold. 
  5. If leaks go undetected, use a slightly lower threshold.

Technical Support Documentation Specialist, Badger Meter

Posted in Uncategorized

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